Living Below Sea Level

We are all very aware of the truth that it does not matter nearly so much what we tell our children as it does what we demonstrate to them by our actions, attitudes and priorities. They tend to copy our actual attitudes and values rather than implementing what we say. The same principle applies to all leaders and Church leaders are no exception. Church leaders may see a need for a change of direction in the local church, but a new teaching emphasis will be almost meaningless unless the leaders are modeling that direction in their lives. One example of this is to have a seminar on a Biblical view of finances while the church remains in debt and makes little effort to change the situation. It's true that most congregations need to experience a seminar on the Biblical view of finances because many of us are living in fragile economic situations.

When the storm of the Depression hit, my grandparents found themselves living in the middle of the dust bowl. But, they were able to weather that economic storm without losing their ranch while many of their neighbors lost everything. The primary reason was that my grandparents actually owned their home and land rather than embracing the pseudo-ownership of debt. In contrast, most of their neighbors could no longer sustain their debt. Carrying a large debt is like living below sea level while surrounded with dikes to keep back the waves.

An economic storm would be devastating. But, it would especially overwhelm those who are already living below sea level. Yet, we live in a world where such a storm is not only possible but even likely. Carrying a large debt in such a situation could easily turn into a disaster. If the church leadership actually chooses to treat debt as a problem then a seminar on finances could have tremendous effect. But if the leaders of a church continue to have the church carry a large debt without a priority on eliminating it, a much stronger message is communicated than a seminar would speak. When church leaders manifest a public, repentant attitude toward personal and church debt, it sends a powerful message by example and prepares the way for God’s work in the heart of each family.

Romans 13:8 – Various translations –
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another;
Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another;
Owe no one anything, except to love each other,

A church in debt speaks something about its god. Do we have a God who lacks resources when they are needed for the work He commands?